Blu-ray Release Date: March 31, 2015
If you’ve been reading the DVD/Blu-ray New Release Roundup column, you may have noticed the name of distributor Olive Films coming up frequently. Indeed, they’ve been doing a spectacular job of releasing movies that have fallen under the radar or simply gone out-of-print. All of their products are new to Blu-ray (and occasionally DVD too). Additionally, they’ve been giving these gems new, pristine transfers.
Olive Films have several arrivals coming on March 31st, including the enjoyable British comedy caper Without A Clue (1988). It’s the first Blu-ray release for the flick, finally presenting it in its proper widescreen format. As someone who enjoyed this movie upon its original release, it was great to revisit. And thankfully, it has held up fairly well over time.
In this version of the Sherlock Holmes story, the brilliant Dr. John Watson (Ben Kingsley) is the clever writer and crime-solver who must endure his partner, a brash and clumsy actor named Reginald Kincaid (Michael Caine). In order to sell his true-crime pieces, Watson has hired Kincaid to play the public role of super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Naturally, the thespian finds himself getting all the credit for their successes on the job.
However, when Watson decides to give up the ruse and part company with the star, no one takes the real brains behind the operation seriously. Even an attempt at re-branding himself “John Watson – Crime Doctor” does nothing to ingratiate the man to the police or the public, who still believe Kincaid’s fictional Holmes to be the real genius.
As one might imagine, the two leads seem to be having an enormous amount of fun in their roles. Caine bumbles his way through various crime scenes while his partner looks on in frustration and attempts to subtly guide the dense actor through the investigation. This often results in an oblivious and confused Holmes asking Watson what clues he should be looking for and for the doctor to inform him when they are found. It’s enjoyable to watch the two hilariously squabble among themselves. The dialogue is sharp and the pair trade some hilarious barbs.
Another highlight that I can’t recall having been played out in a Sherlock Holmes movie before includes the famous sleuth’s reaction to learning that criminal mastermind Moriarty may be involved in the current plot. While Watson is excited by the upcoming battle of wits, the actor reacts in abject terror and a staunch refusal to have anything to do with, “…that homicidal maniac!”
The disc itself delivers, with as sharp and clean an image as has ever been made available. Visually, the film has a polished and stately look that harkens back to classic Holmes tales – and this makes the physical humor all the more unexpected and entertaining to watch. It also includes a widescreen US trailer as a bonus feature. (For those who want to see more, below is the UK trailer for the film. It doesn’t have quite as many gags as the American preview, but it’s still a good reflection of the movie’s tone.)
On the whole, this is an enjoyable little movie that really takes advantage of its premise. Those who appreciate Arthur Conan Doyle, the world of Sherlock Holmes, flicks from the 80s or any of the above are certain to get a kick out of Without a Clue. This release is another winner from Olive Films.
– UK trailer